HB 2017 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Game and Fish Laws - As enacted, clarifies that local governmental entities shall not regulate the manner and means of taking wildlife, including the discharge of a firearm while lawfully hunting, and that such taking is regulated pursuant to rules promulgated and proclamations issued by the fish and wildlife commission. - Amends TCA Section 39-17-1314; Section 70-1-206 and Section 70-4-107.

HB 2017 prevents local governments (cities, counties, towns) from regulating how wildlife is taken, including firearm discharge during lawful hunting. It clarifies that only the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission sets rules and proclamations for hunting methods, amending Tennessee Code Sections 39-17-1314, 70-1-206, and 70-4-107. The bill ensures hunters using Commission-approved methods during designated seasons can legally hunt with firearms in areas designated by the Commission. This shifts regulatory authority from local entities to the Commission, taking effect immediately upon enactment.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Apr 13, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
9
Committee
11
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/12/2026
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee for 3/10/2026
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee to 3/10/2026
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee for 3/3/2026
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee to 3/3/2026
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee for 2/17/2026
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee for 2/11/2026
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mark Cochran
Mark Cochran
RRepublican
TN
23